Woods, Duval hold off Argentina at World Cup

BELLA VISTA, Argentina -- Tiger Woods made it sound as though David Duval single-handedly won the World Cup of Golf for the United States.

Woods did his part, too, with the most spectacular shot of the day.

With host Argentina making a run while cheered on by thousands of spectators, Woods sank a 40-foot birdie putt at the 11th hole Sunday to give the U.S. team a cushion it wouldn't relinquish en route to a three-shot victory and the $1 million top prize.

''David played great all week, and he really carried us,'' Woods said. ''I only made one putt. Other than that, I didn't feel like I did much of anything.''

That putt was significant.

Woods and Duval entered the day with a three-stroke lead over Argentina's Eduardo Romero and Angel Carbera. That had been whittled to one shot when the Americans got to the par-3, 146-yard 11th hole.

Duval's tee shot, perhaps caught by heavy winds, carried well left of the pin. Woods, playing next in the alternate-shot format, calmly sank the slightly downhill putt to build a two-stroke lead. Argentina then bogeyed the 13th and 14th holes and never challenged again.

''Other than that I didn't think I did much of anything,'' Woods said. ''I thought we struck the ball well today but I didn't putt so well. My partner over here bailed me out time and time again. Thank goodness that he was there because I didn't hit good putts -- I either ran wide or left them short.''

Woods and Duval combined to shoot a 4-under-par 68 Sunday, finishing at 34-under 254 for the tournament. It was the 23rd U.S. title in 46 World Cups and the second in a row for Woods, who teamed with Mark O'Meara last year.

While Woods struggled in the early rounds, Duval kept the team in contention with his long drives and precision putting.

They combined for six birdies in the final round.

Twenty-four nations competed in the event, which mixed alternate-shot and four-ball play. Players had to deal with blustery winds, searing temperatures and threats of rain.

Father-Son Challenge

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Raymond Floyd made a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff as he and son Robert beat Johnny and Scott Miller in the Father-Son Challenge.

Okinawa Open

ITOMAN, Japan -- Japan's Shingo Katayama won the season-ending Okinawa Open to take the season's money title on the Japan Professional Golf Tour.

Vodacom Players Championship

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- South Africa's Trevor Immelman shot a 3-under 69 to beat countryman Ernie Els and Titch Moore by three strokes in the Vodacom Players Championship.

Ford Open

ADELAIDE, Australia -- Australia's Peter Lonard won the Ford Open, closing with a 4-under 68 for a six-stroke victory over countryman Paul Gow.

Lonard earned $59,000 for his first victory since the 1997 Australian Masters. He finished with a 19-under 269 total on the Kooyonga course. Gow closed with a 65.

Matt Kuchar, the 1997 U.S. Amateur champion, shot a 72 to tie for 24th at 5-under 283.